Four families from Kwale County whose land was taken by the the government 40 years ago will be paid billions in compensation.
This decision was arrived at by a Mombasa court which rejected an appeal by the attorney general to overturn award of Shs. 10 billion to the four families for the land in Diani. The appellate court directed that the case should be taken before the high court for reassessment for compulsory acquisition of the land.
The land is home to Diani Beach Commercial Complex and other multi million hotels, homes and homes.
Families of Dan Mwangi, Pauline Mwongela, Sayeed Mushtaq Hussain and Afzakhan Rahimkhan bought the property from Reaby Wailes at Sh 140000 in 1978.
Their title was cancelled and transferred to a private firm with links to powerful individuals in Jomo Kenyatta’s government.
They were paid sh 9.88 in 2017 but Justice Eric Ogola found that the government had infringed on their right to property so he entitled them to compensation. They were awarded sh 60 millions extra for damages and loss of rights to use the property and for psychological torture.
That was later overturned partially after the AG lodged an appeal, many parties with strong links in government got into the case with attempts to transfer the ownership from Mrs Wailes.
